Things to do
Besides great restaurants and lots of shops, Maastricht has more to offer. For example:
You meet your guide at a depth of 40 metres under the ground. Having been issued with a mountain bike and helmet especially adapted to the tunnels, the adventure begins. The 8 km long route runs along a 140 km long network of dark marlstone tunnels. Lit only by your headlamps, the twists and turns come really fast in this underground labyrinth. Your guide frequently yells ‘duck’ just before bending low over his handlebars to avoid the low ceiling. And if you react too slowly to his yell, you immediately discover why wearing a helmet is essential on this trip! In addition to underground adventure, ASP Adventure also offers above-ground adventure.
Prices:
1 hour € 19
1,5 hour € 25
Three attractions with lots of action and effort as well as relaxation: the cable lift takes you 86 m higher to the lookout tower and two toboggan runs, after which you can cruise down the 325 m and 375 m long runs at high speeds. The tow lift then brings you back to the starting point. The Wilhelmina tower - with café, restaurant and terrace - gives you a fantastic view over Valkenburg and the Geul Valley.
Would you like to see what the city looks like from the Meuse River? Rederij Stiphout has several tour boats ready and waiting. For example:
Cruise on the Meuse
This boat trip gives you an excellent overall view of Maastricht from the water. The trip takes you past the historic St. Servaas bridge, the new Céramique district, the Gouvernement building and St. Pietersberg Hill. Just before the Belgian border, the boat turns back towards the centre of Maastricht.
DURATION approx. 50 minutes
PRICE for adults € 7.20
Children 4-12 years € 4.30
Cruise on the Meuse with a tour of the tunnels under St. Pietersberg Hill
The same trip as described above, but with a stop at St. Pietersberg Hill. After cruising for 20 minutes, you disembark and walk up the hill, where you are given a one-hour guided tour of the marl tunnels by a
VVV guide. After the underground tour, the cruise continues. Attention: not suitable for people who have difficulty walking.
DURATION approx. 3 hours
PRICE for adults € 12.15
Children 4 to 12 years € 8.25
Boat trip Maastricht–Liège (Round trip)
The boat cruises via the Meuse to the locks at Ternaaien, where it is locked 15 metres upwards to the Albert Canal. Via this canal, you proceed to the city centre of Liège, where you arrive at about 12:30 PM to explore the city on your own. The boat departs at around 3 PM for the return trip to Maastricht. Reservations required beforehand.
DURATION approx. 7.5 hours (including a 2.5 hour break in Liège)
DEPARTURE 10 AM
PRICE round trip for adults € 22.- round trip for children 4 to 12 years € 13.50, one-way trip for adults € 13.50, one-way trip for children 4 to 12 years € 8.-
Family game: A secret has been kept in Maastricht since Roman times. If you correctly combine everything, you will discover the secret of Maastricht!
On sale at VVV Maastricht
Kleine Staat 1
6211 ED Maastricht
T +31 (0)43 325 21 21
www.vvvmaastricht.eu.
Mon to Sat 9 AM-6 PM, Sun 11 AM-3 PM
€ 24.50 per game
At the northern edge of St. Pietersberg hill, you will find Fort St. Pieter, built in 1701-1702. Built on a five-sided floor plan, the fort has two main galleries in the middle and a circular gallery running along the side walls. A VVV guide will lead you around these galleries and the bombproof areas. You will get a good look into the deep well and, weather permitting, you will be able to go to the top and enjoy the beautiful view over the city and the surrounding landscape. The tour lasts about one hour and is not accessible for wheelchairs. Departure is from behind restaurant Fort St. Pieter, Luikerweg 80, city district 12. Unfortunately, there are no guided tours available in English for individual visitors. However, you can reserve a guide!
These are a network of bunkers created on the west side of Maastricht between 1575 and 1825. During times of siege, these tunnels were used to approach and surprise the enemy from under the ground. Visit the cleverly constructed vaulted chambers, the powder rooms and the imposing bombproof shelters and find out more about this unique monument of military engineering.
Prices:
Adults from € 4,95
Children from € 3,95
Daily at 14:30hrs. Check with the VVV for guided tours in English.
There are a great many remains visible in Maastricht of the old fortifications once used to defend the city. During the autumn half-term, fortifications walks are organised focusing on the military history of this oldest fortified city in the Netherlands. This walk takes you along and in part on top of the old city ramparts, Helpoort (Hell's Gate, dating from 1229) and various guard houses until you reach the Waldeck bastion, where the entrance to the Kazematten (underground system of tunnels and bunkers) is located. The Main Guardhouse on the Vrijthof played a central role in the defence of the city, as that is where the keys to the city gates were kept!
Departure point for all fortifications walks is: Maastricht Tourist Office (VVV), Kleine Staat 1, Maastricht. The walks last about 1 ½ hours and are organised from October 16th to October 31st on a daily basis at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
